7 Science has begun studying what matters - MATTER!! We began with chemical vs physical changes and properties, identifying different scenarios and ideas that would support these concepts. We also checked out a couple of cool examples on video, and did a couple of in class experiments to see simple chemical changes. I am going to be sharing notes and homework through google classroom, and I will send out reviews a week in advance - just like last year. So far, we will be having a quiz on the ideas we are covering right now, but no date has been set.
8 Science is starting off the year learning about Darwin and his Theory of Evolution - changes in species over time for survival and also through artificial selection. We are then going to look at how animals have been scientifically classified and organized over time. They have been doing great so far this year and I am excited for one final round of science with them!
7 Social Studies is going back to the earliest humans - looking at different fossils and inventions that show change over time. We are going to be looking at survival during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic eras, and at our basic necessities that furthered our creativity and culture. I think they are going to enjoy the diversity of different ideas that we will be learning about this year.
8 Social Studies took a step back to learn about cultures before Columbus and "discovery of the new world". We are looking at empires in Africa, politics in its earliest stages in ancient Greece and Rome, and ideas from the past that will be important in the foundation of our country - freedom, labor, and government. We will be having a quiz on these concepts at the beginning of the week of September 16th. I will send a review out via GoogleClassroom to the kids to help them review for these concepts.